We Have A Winner!

Our "Save A Tree" promotion to lure folks away from our informative and beautiful (but tree-abusing) mailer has come to an end. We added a good number of new names to our e-mail list, and by random selection (drumroll, please...): PAUL FUREY! Congrats to Paul, he'll soon be receiving a $50 gift card for his effort.

We want to welcome everyone who signed up, you're all winners in our book (even though only Paul's getting the gift card this round). We're already working on another batch of arboreal articles for the e-news blast to keep you up to date on all the latest tips and tricks from the treetops! The contest may be over, but if you haven't registered to receive our e-newsletter directly in your inbox, you are certainly still invited to. 

Click here to sign up now!

The Latest Emerald Ash Borer Update: 4 Things You Can Do to Help

It's likely you've heard the news: The emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive pest from Asia that has killed tens of millions of trees in the eastern United States and Canada, has been found in Concord. What can you do to help? We invite you to read our latest column published by Seacoast Media Group Titled: Emerald ash borer poses threat to N.H. trees

Courtesy of the University of Georgia

As we learn more about this potential threat to the seacoast, we'll keep you updated.

What on Earth Is the Emerald Ash Borer and Why Should I Care

 (image taken from The National Park Service)

What on Earth is the Emerald Ash Borer and why should I care? This really is two separate questions, so I'll take them one at a time.

About the EAB: The emerald ash borer was discovered in southeast Michigan in 2002. Some estimates put the the number of ash trees killed as high as 100 million. It's a green beetle native to Asia - big deal right? But it's also an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees. Voraciously.

This little bugger has been spotted in Concord NH and an emergency quarantine has been put in place in Merrimack County banning all species of ash (including wood chips, firewood and the like) from traveling outside the county limits.

Currently, 2 meetings are scheduled for May 2, and include the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food, the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development’s Division of Forests and Lands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA APHIS PPQ), the U.S. Forest Service, and yours truly, Dan Mello. The state and the country are taking the spread of this pest very seriously and so are we. We are attending to learn as much as we can, not only to take a proactive approach, but to help keep the community informed in order to solicit their help, if and when it becomes necessary.

Why Should I Care? It may seem that the loss of ash trees may not affect you, especially if you don't have any on your property. But this invasion affects everyone: The excerpt below was taken from a recent study by the US Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/news/2013/01/tree-human-health.shtml.
In an analysis of 18 years of data from 1,296 counties in 15 states, researchers found that Americans living in areas infested by the emerald ash borer, a beetle that kills ash trees, suffered from an additional 15,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 6,000 more deaths from lower respiratory disease when compared to uninfected areas. When emerald ash borer comes into a community, city streets lined with ash trees become treeless.

As we learn more about this potential threat to the seacoast, we'll keep you updated. In the meantime, keep an eye out for the insect, as well as our next Taking Root article published by seacoastonline.com.

How to Select the Right Tree for Your Yard

If you're thinking of adding new trees to your landscape, now is the time. The best season to plant is in the spring before the buds appear. This is not a decision to take lightly. Take a little time before you get started to learn how to choose the right type of tree and location for your project, as well as proper planting procedures. We invite you to read the latest article in our Taking Root series titled The Time is Right for Planting Trees.

Spring Tree Care Tips

Now that winter is waning and spring is upon us, we begin to think about our annual spring cleanup. The days are getting longer and warmer and we are spending more time outside. It becomes easier to see the tree damage winter brings. Before you go grabbing Dad’s old chainsaw for some tree service, take a moment and read the following tips.

• First things first: If you find any downed power lines, steer clear and notify the power company immediately! (I know everyone knows this, it’s like the scissor running thing, but I felt compelled to say it anyway...).
• Do not use a chainsaw simply because you have one. Although they are extremely useful tools, they are also extremely dangerous. If you haven’t been trained, or are not familiar with it, ask someone for help (there is no shame in it) or use a handsaw. 
• If your going to remove a tree or large limb, be sure there are no power lines, property, or people that may interfere (not including your mother-in-law) with its safe removal.
• If you have to leave the ground to make the cut, and are not properly trained... STOP! Call a professional.
• Take the time and assess the situation. Imagine the worst case scenario. What would happen? What would you do? Are you alone? Did you leave yourself an "out"? 

We all want our property to look good (or at least slightly better than our neighbors). Trees are beautiful miracles of nature. They provide us with beauty, protection, and lots of leaves to rake in the fall. If you have any doubts regarding safety, consider hiring a professional. Your family wants you around and so do we. Besides, trees are much more enjoyable from above the soil line...

Taking Root

We have been given the opportunity by Seacoast Media Group to publish a monthly column we named Taking Root. The goal of this column is to help our community understand the importance of our natural landscape in the Seacoast, and moreover, give readers valuable guidance and information they can implement daily to make their property a healthier, more enjoyable place. When we all do what’s best for our personal landscape, the community as a whole benefits. We invite you to read our latest column titled "Trees can help raise your property value".

Seacoast Tree Care Gains Tree Care Industry Accreditation

Extra, Extra, Read All About It!

Sorry about that but we are a proud group today at Seacoast Tree Care! We recently gained accreditation under the Tree Care Industry Accreditation program. Below is an excerpt from a recent press release:

Stratham, NH (PRWEB) February 28, 2013

Seacoast Tree Care, after an extensive review by the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), has gained accreditation under the Tree Care Industry Accreditation program. TCIA Accreditation means Seacoast Tree Care adheres to all the accreditation standards and has undergone a rigorous application process. TCIA verified this by conducting an on-site audit of Seacoast Tree Care facilities and tree service work sites.
Under the accreditation process, businesses undergo extensive review of professional practices aimed at safeguarding consumers. The review includes:
► best business practices
► ethical business conduct
► formal training and certification of employees
► compliance with industry standards
► consumer satisfaction
► adherence to safety standards
► insurance coverage

You can read the entire article here.